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Alloy wheels are an important part of your vehicle, playing a role in not only aesthetics but also improving handling and performance. However, over the course of driving a car for years and thousands of miles, damages such as cracks and dents will tend to appear on your alloys. Repairing alloy whee
Alloy wheels are an important part of your vehicle, playing a role in not only aesthetics but also improving handling and performance. However, over the course of driving a car for years and thousands of miles, damages such as cracks and dents will tend to appear on your alloys. Repairing alloy wheels can be a cost-effective alternative to new replacements up to a point, but it can be difficult to determine the exact cost. With so many variables that affect the final cost of repair, it is often easier to contact a professional machine shop for quotes.
To give you as much information as possible, this blog will explore the many circumstances and factors that influence the cost of repairing alloy wheels, and provide some estimated costs to help you budget for this repair.
One factor that could impact how much you pay for an alloy wheel repair is the type of alloy you’re sporting. Standard paint alloys are used on most new vehicles that leave a dealership, and the average cost to repair scuffs of one of these alloys is around £90 per wheel. However, diamond cut wheels are a specialist type of alloy that ups the cost per wheel by an extra £25 per wheel on average.
Wheel size is also a contributing factor to the final price. Most vehicles have less than 20” rims, but if yours are bigger, the mechanic will likely increase the cost of repair by about £10 per wheel.
This means that, should you need it, the total average cost for repairs on all four standard alloys under 20” is about £300-£360.
Of the many different types of common alloy damage, each one has a unique process. Let’s go through them one by one:
Kerbed wheels are caused by the wheels scraping on the side of a road kerb, and can not only remove some paintwork but also cause light metal damage. Mechanics repair this by sanding around the damaged area of the wheel to remove any debris, and applying a filler to restore it to its former smoothness.
Wheel corrosion is natural damage caused by exposure to moisture, salt, and other environmental elements over time. The surface of the wheel corrodes and weakens, but this is repaired by sanding down the affected areas and re-primed and re-painted to give it its original colour and protection. In severe cases, the wheel may need to be replaced altogether.
Running over a particularly large pothole can cause similarly-sized troubles for your alloys. Small scratches and dents may appear, however, if the damage is major, the wheel may need to be replaced altogether. Smaller pothole damage may involve straightening a bent wheel with a hydraulic press, welding the cracks and/or sanding down the damaged area and restoring the wheel’s condition with primer and paint.
An alloy can be bent out of shape for a plethora of reasons, including a hard impact on a curb or pothole, overloading the vehicle beyond its limits or simply a manufacturing defect on the wheel itself. A wheel straightening procedure involves a hydraulic press applying pressure on the wheel until it is re-shaped into its original position.
More serious damage to alloy wheels may be more difficult to repair. These include damage such as:
Please refer to our recent blog to learn more about the process a specialist mechanic will take to repair and refurbish an alloy wheel with any of these conditions.
There are many ways in which an alloy can become seriously damaged, from heavy pothole damage and wheel buckling to corrosion and wear. In these severe cases, going to a garage is essential. The alloy wheels would need a lot of repair work to restore them to their original condition, to the point where it’s often cheaper, easier and safer to get a fresh set of alloys instead. Thankfully, there is a world of quality aftermarket alloys that are designed for a perfect fit for your vehicle, and are forged with the same materials and craftsmanship as the manufacturer’s efforts. At LK Performance, we use our decades of expertise and industry involvement to hand-select the very best aftermarket alloy wheel makers, so you won’t need to worry about a reduction in vehicle performance and safety.
Come to LK Performance fitting centre via the address on our Contacts Page. We can fix it all with top-class facilities and a knowledge-rich team of experts. You can let go of the worry of your alloy wheel damage and put your faith in our team, and we’ll let you know what the best course of action is.
If you find out that the best option is to buy a new set of alloy wheels altogether, LK Performance is the UK’s leading specialised alloy wheel supplier in terms of quality of service and customer ratings. We stock thousands of high-quality alloy wheels from revered brands across the world and will help you with any technical information so that you can get on the road in brand-new alloys without needing to research. With us, the most difficult task for you is to choose the colour of your alloy wheels!
Our database holds over 30m vehicle records so that we can check the exact wheel fitting of your vehicle so that you know the fitment of your new alloy is perfect and long-lasting. Plus, this is also available for free via our online fitment checker, so browse online today before you come to our centre for repairs or replacements.
Questions about fitment, finance, or an order you have already placed? Our advisors know these wheels inside out and are happy to help.
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Aftermarket alloys are typically lighter than their stock counterparts, reducing unsprung weight and improving the performance of your car. They’re also available in larger diameters and widths, allowing larger brakes and wider tyres to be installed for increased cornering performance and stopping power.
Alloy wheels have a far longer lifespan than steel wheels. When well cared for, they can last for decades - and they can be easily refurbished and restored to look as good as new.
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